The Global C4 Acetylene Hydrogenation Catalysts Market was valued at USD 412.7 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 582.3 Million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.9% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This growth is propelled by the escalating demand for high-purity butadiene in synthetic rubber and plastics manufacturing, stringent environmental regulations favoring selective hydrogenation processes, and the push for catalyst innovations that enhance operational efficiency and reduce green oil formation.

As the petrochemical industry intensifies its focus on process optimization and yield improvement, the role of specialized catalysts becomes paramount. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the C4 Acetylene Hydrogenation Catalysts Industry—a group of global chemical giants and specialized catalyst manufacturers that are critical to the production chains of countless downstream products.

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🔟 1. Johnson Matthey

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Selective Hydrogenation Catalysts (e.g., LD Series)

Johnson Matthey is a global leader in sustainable technologies, including a comprehensive portfolio of catalysts for the petrochemical sector. Their C4 acetylene hydrogenation catalysts are renowned for high selectivity, long life, and robustness in converting methylacetylene and propadiene (MAPD) impurities in C4 streams to valuable olefins, primarily butadiene.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Development of low-temperature operation catalysts for energy savings

• Focus on catalysts that minimize polymer (green oil) formation, extending run lengths

• Commitment to circular economy principles in catalyst recycling and metal reclamation

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9️⃣ 2. Axens

Headquarters: Rueil-Malmaison, France
Key Offering: Axens C4 Hydrogenation Catalysts (e.g., HD Series)

Axens provides advanced process technologies and catalysts for the refining and petrochemical industries. Their catalysts for C4 cut hydrogenation are engineered for exceptional performance in removing acetylenic compounds, ensuring the production of specification-grade butadiene, which is essential for the styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and polybutadiene rubber (PBR) markets.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Proprietary catalyst formulations for high stability and selectivity

• Integrated solutions combining catalysts with process design for optimized client operations

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8️⃣ 3. Clariant (Süd-Chemie)

Headquarters: Muttenz, Switzerland
Key Offering: HYSPEC™ Catalysts for C4 Hydrogenation

Clariant, having integrated the expertise of Süd-Chemie, is a powerhouse in catalyst manufacturing. Their catalysts are specifically designed for the selective hydrogenation of C4 streams, effectively controlling exothermic reactions and maximizing the yield of valuable butadiene while minimizing the hydrogenation to butanes.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Advanced catalyst supports for improved diffusion and reduced pore plugging

• R&D focused on enhancing poison resistance to extend catalyst service life

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7️⃣ 4. CRI Catalyst (Criterion® Catalysts & Technologies)

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: CENTERA™ and other C4 Hydrogenation Catalysts

CRI Catalyst, part of Criterion Catalysts & Technologies, offers a range of high-performance catalysts. Their products for C4 acetylene hydrogenation are critical in steam cracker and refinery off-gas streams, ensuring the economic production of polymer-grade olefins by selectively removing trace acetylene contaminants.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• CENTERA platform emphasizing reliability, performance, and sustainability

• Collaborations with licensors to provide tailored catalyst solutions for specific process units

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C4 Acetylene Hydrogenation Catalysts Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Selective Hydrogenation Catalysts (Pd-based)

BASF is one of the world’s largest chemical companies and a major supplier of catalysts. Their palladium-based catalysts are extensively used for the selective hydrogenation of acetylene and dienes in C4 streams. BASF’s strong R&D capabilities focus on improving selectivity and stability under varying feed conditions.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Development of catalysts with optimized metal dispersion for maximum active site utilization

• Emphasis on reducing the environmental footprint of catalyst production and use

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5️⃣ 6. Albemarle Corporation

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Key Offering: STARS® and Centurion® Catalysts

Albemarle is a global leader in catalyst solutions, particularly for refining and petrochemical applications. Their catalysts are designed to handle the challenges of C4 hydrogenation, such as feed variability and the need for precise control over reaction kinetics to prevent over-hydrogenation.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• STARS technology for superior activity and stability

• Investment in next-generation catalyst materials for enhanced performance and longevity

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4️⃣ 7. Haldor Topsoe

Headquarters: Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Key Offering: TK Series Catalysts for Selective Hydrogenation

Haldor Topsoe specializes in heterogeneous catalysis and provides highly efficient catalysts for the petrochemical industry. Their solutions for C4 hydrogenation are known for high selectivity towards butadiene, which is crucial for meeting the purity demands of the synthetic rubber industry.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Focus on catalyst designs that operate effectively with lower hydrogen consumption

• Commitment to developing technologies that support the decarbonization of industrial processes

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3️⃣ 8. Evonik Industries AG

Headquarters: Essen, Germany
Key Offering: Customized Catalysts for C4 Streams

Evonik offers a range of specialty chemicals and catalyst solutions. Their expertise in catalyst development allows them to provide effective solutions for the removal of acetylene from C4 cuts, helping producers maximize the output of high-value chemicals from their steam crackers.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Research into novel support materials to improve catalyst life and performance

• Integrated approach that considers the entire process chain for optimal results

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2️⃣ 9. Sinopec Catalyst Company

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: SCC Catalysts for Acetylene Hydrogenation

As a subsidiary of the China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), this company is a major player in the Asian catalyst market. It supplies a significant portion of the catalysts used in China’s vast petrochemical sector, including reliable solutions for C4 hydrocarbon upgrading.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Localized R&D to meet specific requirements of the rapidly growing Asian market

• Focus on cost-effective catalyst solutions without compromising on performance

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1️⃣ 10. UOP LLC, A Honeywell Company

Headquarters: Des Plaines, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: UOP C4 Hydrogenation Catalysts and Process Technology

UOP is a leading international supplier and licensor of process technology and catalysts. They offer integrated solutions for the petrochemical industry, including specialized catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of C4 streams, often bundled with their proprietary process design to ensure optimal outcomes for clients.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Development of catalysts that enable higher throughput and efficiency

• Strong focus on digitalization for catalyst performance monitoring and predictive maintenance

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C4 Acetylene Hydrogenation Catalysts Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🔬 Outlook: The Future of C4 Acetylene Hydrogenation Catalysts Is Smarter and More Efficient

The C4 acetylene hydrogenation catalysts market is evolving beyond basic chemical performance. The focus is shifting towards intelligent catalysts that offer longer lifespans, greater tolerance to poisons, and integration with digital process control systems for real-time optimization.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Development of multifunctional catalysts that can handle variable feed compositions

• Increasing adoption of advanced modeling and simulation for catalyst design and process optimization

• Growing emphasis on catalyst regeneration and recycling to reduce lifecycle costs and environmental impact

• Rising demand from Asia-Pacific, driven by new petrochemical capacity additions

Get Full Report Here:
C4 Acetylene Hydrogenation Catalysts Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential materials for the chemical industry—they are enabling the efficient and sustainable production of the building blocks for modern materials, from car tires to plastic products.